P-232: Gene Expression Analysis of the Histon Variant H2BFWT in Testis Tissues of Non-Obstructive Azoospermic Patients Referred to Royan Institute

Background: During the later stages of spermatogenesis, spermatid nuclear remodeling and condensation are associated with histone modifications and the sequential displacement of histones by transition proteins and then by protamines. In humans, approximately 15% of the sperm DNA remains packaged by histones in sequence-specific areas. The histone variant H2B, member W, testis-specific (H2BFWT) gene encodes a testis-specific histone that becomes incorporated into sperm chromatin. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels of H2BFWT mRNA in testis tissues of infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia and their relations with spermatogenesis disturbances. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from infertile men who referred to Royan Institute. They underwent testicular sperm extraction (TESE). Using qRT-PCR method, mRNA expression levels of H2BFWT gene in patients with obstructive azoospermia (as control group, n=8) were compared with sertoli cell only syndrome (SCOS, n=8) and complete maturation arrest (CMA, n=8) patients. Results: Our data revealed lower expression levels of H2BFWT in the two SCOS and CMA patient groups rather than control group. Conclusion: In this study, it can be concluded that the lower levels of H2BFWT gene expression may be associated with spermatogenic failure in non-obstructive azoospermia patients, as a susceptibility factor for male infertility.